bhp $12 or better by thurs, page-5

feelinglucky,

While I agree that prices are manipulated into eto expiry, it is my observation that eto writers have limited power to hold stocks at a particular price point. What they tend to do is go with the flow then try to close a stock right at a strike price.
They cannot, or do not, fight the overall market. It isn't worth the outlay.

In the case of BHP they may wish for a 1200 close on Thursday, However if the broader market starts to sell BHP down they will stand aside and maybe try for a close at 1150.

One other thing I've noticed. Where a stock closes at a strike price 1 or 2 days before expiry, there is often a big move away from that strike on the expiry day.

No idea why but the cynic in me says there's a reason for it and it isn't done to benefit traders.

Just my observations.